What is professional wet cleaning?
Don't let the name fool you. Wet cleaning, also called professional natural cleaning, is not the same as throwing your clothes in your washing machine at home, which would very likely damage many dry clean only fabrics. As explained in more detail below, the professional wet cleaning process is quite different. Though, like a regular washing machine, it uses water, the amount of water is minimal and is precisely controlled by a sophisticated computer program, which also controls the amount of solvents and detergents used, as well as all other elements of the cleaning process. This special cleaning process is safe for many dry clean only items and fabrics. Unlike regular washing machines, it will not shrink, stretch, fade or damage the garment.
How does it work?
Cleaning any fabric or garment requires the presence of four elements: solvent, detergents, agitation and, under most circumstances, heat. Professional wet cleaning perfectly balances these elements to create the optimal cleaning environment. The entire process is computer controlled based on the type of fabric being cleaned. Nontoxic detergents and conditioners are used to remove dirt and revitalize the fabric. The garments are agitated in the machine just enough to extract the dirt from the item, but not enough to alter the structure, size or color.
The items being cleaned are then transferred to a high-tech dryer that senses humidity as many as 400 times per minute. To prevent shrinkage, the dryer automatically stops once the prescribed level of moisture is reached. During drying, the conditioners that were added earlier are heat-activated to soften and freshen the garment.
Is wet cleaning safe for the environment?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), wet cleaning is the safest professional method of garment cleaning. It uses no hazardous chemicals and, therefore, does not generate any hazardous waste. It does not create air pollution, and its potential to cause water and soil contamination is far less than most other professional cleaning processes. The specialized detergents and conditioners are milder than those used in home laundry machines. All the products can be safely disposed of down the drain.
What are the advantages over dry cleaning?
Wet cleaning is the safest, most efficient and effective way to process garments. Out of all the professional cleaning methods available today, it is also the most environmentally friendly. The energy usage of wet cleaning is up to forty-six percent lower than that of dry cleaning. Simply put, wet cleaning is a smart alternative to traditional dry cleaning.
Sparkle Laundry & Dry Cleaning is proud to use Miele Professional wet cleaning equipment. We care about the environment and our customers and want to provide cleaning services that are safe for both.